Mail-sack fastener.



W. SIMMONS.

MAIL SACK FASTENBR. APPLICATION FILED Imm, 191'1.

1,011,866. Patented Dec.12,1911.

5mm/whew COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPM cowASHlr-G-roN n c WILLIAM SIMMONS, OFBOTHELL, WASHINGTON.

MAIL-SACK FASTENER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application iiled February 4, 1911.

Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

Serial No. 606,580.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM SIMMONS, -a citizen of the United States,residing at Bothell, in the county of King and State of Washington, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Sack Fasteners, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to mail bags and the like and the principalobject of the same is to provide simple means whereby the mouth of thebag can be fastened in a sealed condition without employing straps orsimilar fastening means.

In carrying out the objects of the invention generally stated above itwill be understood that changes in details and structural arrangementsmay be resorted to, one preferred and practical embodiment of which isshown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a fragmentaryperspective view of the mail bag equipped with the improved fasteningmeans. Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the front members of thefastener as they appear when the bag is unfastened.- Fig. 3 is a similarview of the front members as they appear when the bag is fastened. Fig.4 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of the front and rear lockingmembers of the bag fastener. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the frontmembers of the fastener. Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional viewtaken on the line 6-6, Fig. 4.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 8 designates a mailbag or pouch the mouth of which is equipped with the improved fastener.Said fastener comprises the elongated flat strip 9, which is preferablyformed of stiff material such as sole leather and is suitably fastenedto the inner surface of the rear edge of the mouth of the bag 8. Therear strip 9 has its inner surface provided with a centrally locatedlongitudinally arranged row of laterally projecting latching pins 10which are equipped with enlarged and preferably rounded heads 11. Astaple 12 has its outturned flanged ends 13 fastened to the center ofthe inner surface of the rear strip 9 so that said staple projectslaterally therefrom. The staple preferably tapers longitudinally.

Upper and lower front strips 14 and 15 are located at the front edge ofthe mouth of the bag 8, the strip 15 being stationary and suitablyfastened to said front edge, and the strip 14 being carried by andslidable longitudinally on the strip 15 and being pivotally connected tosaid strip 15 by the links 16. The strips 14 and 15 are formed of stiifmaterial, such as sole leather, and their meeting edges are providedwith complemental grooves 17 and 18 which form circular openings when inalinement. Said openings correspond in number to the pins 10 of strip 9.The strips 14 and 15 also have the central portions of their meetingedges provided with the complemental grooves 19 and 20 which form acentral rectangular opening when in alinement.

The movable front strip 14 has a laterally projecting bearing ear 21fastened to its front surface and a plate 22 is fastened to the oppositesurface of said strip and has its lower end provided with a bearing ear23 that projects beneath the lower edge of and beyond the front surfaceof strip 15 and is in alinement with ear 21. The ears 21 and 28 carry apivot shaft 24 upon which one end of a spring hasp 25 is coiled. Saidhasp is supported by said shaft 24 so that its free portion overlaps thecentral grooves 19 and 20 of the strips 14 and 15 and is provided with aslot 26 that alines with said grooves. The free end of the hasp 25 isoutturned and rolled to provide a nger grip 27. The pins 10 are shorterthan the staple 12, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 and said staple ispreferably V-shaped.

IVhen it is desired to seal the mouth of the bag the front strips 14 and15 are arranged in the relative positions shown in Fig. 2 so that theirgrooves 17 and 18 register and provide the circular opening throughwhich the pins 10 of rear strip A9 are passed. The grooves 19 and 20 notregistering, a restricted central opening is provided. The staple 12passes through the central opening before the pins 10 enter theiropenings, so that as said staple is forced int-o the said centralopening, the strip 14 will be longitudinally moved to cause the grooves19 and 20 to register and permit the staple to Y pass through the same.The movement of the staple 12 through the grooves 19 and 20 moves thestrip 14 longitudinally so that the grooves 17 and 18 are forced out ofregistration so that the corners thereof will engage behind the heads 11of the pins 10 and thereby retain the mouth ot' the bag sealed. Theliasp 25 is then positioned so that the staple 12 Will project throughthe slot 26 therein and a look 28 is then engaged to the staple 12 toprevent the bag being accidentally opened. To open the bag, the look 28is removed, and the strip 14 moved to cause the grooves 17 and 18 toregister, whereby the front and rear strips can be readily separated.

That I claim as my invention is :W

A bag fastener comprising a rear strip, latohing and looking meanscarried thereby, superimposed front strips, means for pivotallyConnecting said front strips, said front strips being provided Withcomplemental means for permitting1 the passage of said latohing andlooking means, a laterally projecting ear Carried by one of said frontstrips, a plate carried by the rear of the last mentioned strip andprovided at its lower end with a laterally projecting ear, a pivot shaftconnecting said ears, a hasp supported by said shaft and engaging saidlooking means and a lock tor fastening said hasp to the looking means.

A In testimony whereof I hereunto afliX my signature in presence of twoWitnesses.

WILLIAM SIB/IMUNS. Witnesses ROY M. VORLEY, GEO. F. EnronsnN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washing-ton, D. C.

